ACTE Techniques January 2012 : Page 6

L EADING E DGE Welcome to 2012! tHERE IS AN OLD SAYING, “The more things Techniques M A N AG IN G E D IT O R N. Susan Emeagwali / semeagwali@acteonline.org change, the more they stay the same.” Yes, the world around us is changing. Yet at the same time, the purpose of career and technical education (CTE) has NOT changed. CTE has always been, and continues to be, about preparing individuals for success in their career pathway of choice. Business and industry have told educators that they seek employees who understand and appreciate the need for lifelong learning. Employers look to the education system to graduate students who can evolve as the workplace changes; they want employees who will upgrade their knowledge and skills and think of Janet B. Bray new and different ways to apply their learning. Education is a continuum. It does not end with high school, a two-year degree, or a four-year degree. Given CTE’s critical role of connecting education to work and life, it is equally important that the CTE curriculum represents a continuum as well. Career clusters, career pathways, Programs of Study: each of these represents a vital component of the organization and delivery of CTE. Each of these strengthens the connection to the workplace. Each of these is what makes CTE unique, necessary and valuable. Each of these contributes to the growth and success of individuals and our country. The Association for Career and Technical Education’s (ACTE) core purpose is to provide leadership in developing an educated, prepared, adaptable and competitive workforce. We exist to support the efforts of the thousands of teachers, administrators, guidance counselors and state agency personnel who strive to make this purpose a reality. Techniques magazine is one of the primary avenues for sharing information, best practices and resources with the CTE community. This issue of Techniques continues this effort. It is timely that the focus of this issue is on Programs of Study . The growing needs of industry and the increasing call for seamless education and training in an ever-changing environment require a curriculum that connects the different levels of education. It is through comprehensive programs of study that CTE can guide individuals through the maze of knowledge and skills needed in the workplace. Business and industry recognizes the need for Programs of Study, and policymakers are increasingly recognizing the value of program organization. It’s a funny thing about life. If you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it. The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence. CTE resounds with dedicated professionals who give daily so that others may lead productive and worthwhile lives. Our challenge is to navigate this chaotic world with a sense of adventure—reinventing ourselves along the way. We need to impart this sense of excitement to our students and our colleagues as they also move through these changing times. From all of us on the ACTE staff, we wish you a successful, rewarding and fulfilling New Year. A C T E S TA F F C ONT R I B U T O RS Stephen DeWitt / sdewitt@acteonline.org Alisha Hyslop / ahyslop@acteonline.org Catherine Imperatore / cimperatore@acteonline.org DE S I G NE R Kelly Jenkins / kjenkins@acteonline.org A DV E R T I S I N G AC C O U N T S A L E S R E P Tom Minich / tminic.acte@gmail.com Mel Katz / melkatz@verizon.com AD V E R T I S I NG C O O R D I N AT O R Jim Waterhouse, Techniques Magazine 1410 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: 800-826-9972 ext. 332 Fax: 703-683-7424 E-Mail: techniques@acteonline.org www.acteonline.org P U B L IS H ER Association for Career and Technical Education acte@acteonline.org Janet B. Bray, Executive Director jbray@acteonline.org H O W T O C O N TA C T A C T E Call 800-826-9972 M E M B ER S H I P S ER V I C E S Techniques magazine is just one of the benefits of joining ACTE. Call 800-826-9972 or visit www.acteonline.org/join.aspx to learn more. T E C HN IQ U E S E D I T O R I A L Contact Susan Emeagwali by phone at 703-683-9339 or by E-mail at semeagwali@acteonline.org. To submit letters to the editor or to send article queries or manuscripts, E-mail to techniques@acteonline.org, or mail to Editor, Techniques , 1410 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Information on writing for Techniques is available at www.acteonline.org/techniques.aspx . REPRINTS, COPY PERMISSION, BACK ISSUES ACTE members seeking permission to copy limited quantities of articles from Techniques , please contact or fax your request to Andrea Wilson at 800-826-9972, awilson@acteonline.org, or fax 703-683-7424. For non-members and large quantity copy permission requests, please contact the Copyright Clearance Center, 978-750-8400. For bulk reprints, please contact IPA Publishing Services at 800-259-0470. For back issues, please contact ACTE member services at 800-826-9972. Members may access the contents of all issues of Techniques from September 2002 forward, on the ACTE Web site, www.acteonline.org . Online access is subject to prevailing copyright protections and prior written permission from ACTE is required for all reprints and copies. Members can request an additional copy of Techniques for missing, lost or damaged copies, but fulfillment of this request cannot be guaranteed after 90 days from issue date. Copyright 2012 by the Association for Career and Technical Education Inc. The views expressed by Techniques do not necessarily represent an official position of ACTE. Acceptance of ads for publication in the magazine does not imply endorsement of advertised products by the association. Janet B. Bray, Executive Director 6 Techniques Januar y 2012 www.acteonline.org